A Night To Forget, A Lifetime To Remember.

Jack looked back at the crowd and saw Emily again. She looked uncomfortable talking to a guest. The man's hand hung on her arm, and his words were too pushy. Emily pulled away, trying to hide her discomfort with fake smiles.

She stepped back, not wanting to cause a scene. But just as she was struggling, she saw Jack.

"Is something wrong?" Jack's voice was bold, cutting through the thick tension of the moment. The man froze, immediately recognizing Jack and the power his presence commanded. His charm giving way to his quiet dominance. Jack's grip on the man's shoulder made him stumble, clearly intimidated.

Emily's shoulders relaxed as the man mumbled an apology and quickly left. Jack noticed the relief in her eyes when she looked at him. She noticed she was still holding his hand and quickly pulled away, feeling her cheeks flush in embarrassment.

"Thank you," she said softly. Her expression showed she was still trying to make sense of what had just happened.

Jack nodded, still smiling. "No problem," he said casually. But beneath his calm tone was a quiet confidence that made his words feel reassuring. "You're safe now."

Emily cleared her throat and stepped back. "I should check on things." she said, her voice slightly shaky. She needed space to process her emotions. She quickly walked away, leaving Jack. His eyes followed her as she disappeared into the crowd again.

Emily's doubts about Jack slowly faded, replaced by a mix of admiration and curiosity. His calm and genuine concern had shattered her former assumptions about him.

Earlier that night, Emily stood in the grand hall, surveying the event she'd spent weeks planning. The chandeliers cast a warm glow over the elegant guests, with classical music adding a refined ambiance.

Emily had worked tirelessly to organize this high-profile event for Patricia Smith, a renowned businesswoman. Tonight's success meant everything to Emily, a chance to prove herself. She looked calm, but she was nervous inside.

Patricia moved confidently through the crowd, her presence commanding attention. She had seen potential in Emily and been supportive, but she was also clear about her high expectations-business was business.

"Emily, darling!" Patricia's voice rang through the crowd as she approached with her usual poised smile. "You've outdone yourself tonight. I'm very impressed."

"Thank you, Patricia. That means a lot to me," Emily replied, still feeling a bit nervous despite the compliment. "I just want everything to go well."

"You've made it happen," Patricia said, looking around the room, as her eyes spotted him. "Oh, Jack's here."

Jack stood across the room, drink in hand, barely acknowledging the conversations around him. His eyes wandered, but his mind was elsewhere. The alcohol didn't help. The crowd only intensified his unease.

When Patricia called, everything else faded. He took another sip of his drink, hoping it would settle his nerves.

As he walked toward her, his gaze fell on Emily standing beside her. Calm, composed, and confident in a way that stood out. Something about her caught his attention, and for the first time that night, he felt a spark of interest.

Patricia smiled, her voice warm and friendly. "Emily, this is Jack Harrington. Jack, meet Emily, the brilliant mind behind tonight's event." Jack looked at Emily a bit longer than he expected and held out his hand with a relaxed smile. "Nice to meet you, Emily. Please call me Jack."

Emily hesitated before shaking his hand, but with a loose grip. "Nice to meet you, Jack," she said, being polite but distant.

He held her hand a bit too long. Emily's heart beat faster, but she reminded herself who he was: wealthy, famous, and probably used to getting attention from women. His drink was almost empty, and he didn't seem very interested in the event. Emily found his charm a bit suspicious.

Jack's smile widened as he took a step closer, the faint smell of alcohol lingering on his breath. "The event's impressive, but I'm more intrigued by the woman behind it."

Emily became even more cautious, her guard rising higher. She'd heard this kind of flattery many times before. To her, billionaires like Jack were all the same, She wasn't falling for it. Not tonight, and not with someone like him.

"Well," she replied, forcing a smile, "I'm just making sure everything goes as planned."

Before Jack could respond, Patricia gave her a playful wink. "I'll let you two talk."

Emily didn't wait for Patricia to leave before excusing herself. "That won't be necessary. I have to check on something. I'll see you around, Jack. Excuse me, Patricia," she said, nodding at Patricia before walking away.

As she walked away, she heard Jack's voice behind her, but she didn't turn back. She knew that look in his eyes. She had a job to do - no distractions.

Jack watched Emily walk away, feeling a bit surprised. For the first time, someone had treated him like a regular person. He felt drawn to her.

Patricia noticed Jack's attention had shifted, and her smile grew wider as she followed his gaze. "She's got you hooked already, I see."

Jack turned back to Patricia, his smile weak but sincere. "I wouldn't say that, but... there's something different about her."

Patricia raised an eyebrow, her tone playful but serious. "Well, Don't let her distract you. Remember why you're here. We both know the stakes."

He took another sip of his drink, his curiosity growing. His eyes stayed on the spot where Emily had disappeared into the crowd. "I know," he said softly, as if convincing himself "I'm aware."

He spoke almost silently, the weight of his responsibilities bearing down on him. The life of family obligations, business deals, and societal expectations wasn't one he could easily escape.

Patricia watched him for a moment, her expression understanding. "Stay focused, Jack, and maybe slow down on the drinks." she said gently, before walking away.

Jack took another sip of his drink, as Patricia walked away. He was used to the weight of expectations-especially from people like Patricia.

Later that evening, as the event came to an end, Emily allowed herself a rare moment of relief as she finished tying up the last few details. She was just about to head out when she caught sight of Jack standing by the door.

"I figured I'd wait for you," he said, his voice low and warm. "I wasn't planning on leaving until I saw you again."

Emily paused, her eyes locked on Jack. She had planned to keep her distance, but now that he was in front of her, she saw him differently.

"You're still here?" she asked, an eyebrow raised in amusement.

Jack chuckled, "As you can see. Couldn't leave too early, can't afford to seem like I'm not pulling my weight around here."

Emily gave a small nod. "I guess we all do what we have to do."

"Exactly." Jack's voice dropped. "But right now, my only duty is to leave with you."

Emily's heart skipped a beat as Jack moved closer. His presence was both confident and gentle. He took her hand. And with a nod, she let him lead her to his car.

As they walked, Emily glanced at Jack. "You don't seem like the type who enjoys being in the spotlight," she said.

Jack looked at her, his face softening. "You know how it is," he said with a sigh. "Family and business obligations," He raised his hand in a playful salute. "Pretending to care about stuff you don't really like."

Emily laughed at his casual tone. Jack's presence made the evening feel less overwhelming.

The drive to the penthouse was quiet, yet comfortable. As they arrived, Emily found herself drawn to Jack, her doubts fading. His unexpected kindness and interest in her had broken down her defenses.

As the night unfolded, Emily opened up, letting her guard down. The soft lights and city view created an intimate ambiance, and Jack's steady gaze made her pulse quicken. She shivered at every one of his touches.

Their lips met in a kiss that deepened, filled with a hunger they couldn't resist. The world around them melted away as Jack pulled her closer. Emily let go, allowing Jack in.

Jack's steady breathing and embracing arm brought a contented smile to her lips. As sleep pulled her under, she held onto that feeling, savoring the connection she'd found with him.

The next morning, Emily woke up to an empty space beside her. The blankets were tangled, and the villa was silent. Her heart was pounding as she looked around for any sign of Jack, but there was nothing. No signs of him. He was gone. The only thing left was the faint smell of his cologne on the sheets.

Her breath was shaky. He'd left without a word, slipping away like a ghost? The thought of him leaving left her feeling bitter, betrayed, rejected. She couldn't quite put her finger on it, but it hurt.